Those who focus on what they know, know the least. The more you talk, the less listening–and learning–you get to do. The more someone enjoys the sound of their own voice, the less likely there’ll be wisdom in their words.

Those who focus on what they don’t know, know the most. Great minds ask great questions, talk less, and absorb the information in the room. When they do decide to speak, you know it’s worth hearing.

Teams thrive when members are more interested in learning from each other than convincing each other.

To some, a necktie is a necessary item in a store with too many options to choose from. $18 to “get me out of here.”

To Hermès, a necktie tells a story – one so important, they feature Gary, “the peerless expert”, to guide shoppers toward the right tie for them on their website and Madison Ave store. $180 to “tell my story with my ensemble.”

Most teams get to choose how they see themselves and the value they bring to the products and services in their market. Just like like Gary and his team did.

Who would you like to deal with? The “Get me out of here” guys or the “Tell my story with my ensemble” guys?

And who do you want to be? Thefaceless retail help peddling cheap ties to whomever, or “Gary the peerless-expert”?

Some teams try to create everything. And therefore nothing is truly amazing, simply because they had to try to do it all themselves. Even Rolls-Royce curates liberally from BMW parts, allowing them to focus their creative-genius on what makes them unique.

Other teams try to curate everything. And therefore nothing is truly unique, simply because they won’t create anything themselves. Even Amazon creates its own products, despite profiting almost-exclusively from selling other people’s products.

What do you create? Make it your genius, and make it the best work of your lives.

What do you curate? Work with the best, and let them make it the best work of their lives.